Technical Eco Switch???

[Wee Jimbo]

As some of you may know, I currently have another post active on here at the moment with regards no power going up the hills in my Fiat Panda Twin Air Dualogic???
I am extremely happy with the amount of replies withpeoples thoughts/ideas, however one of the biggest questions back to myself in the replies is, " Is the Eco ButtonSwitched Off???"
Is there a way to check if this does actually switch off/ on via the switch or is there a possibility that it is showing as being out of the Eco mode when infact the switch is nor changing from On to Off or Off to On ??? The reason I am asking is after trying the Switch on a few different occasions now, I do not notice any difference whatsoever. Is there possibly a fuse that works it? and if so, could the fuse be bypassed somehow to keep it out of Eco Mode all the time??? Once again I look forward to all you genuisess of all things Mechanical/Electrical lol. Many Thanks in Advance....... Jimbo

 

[the green vanper]

Hello,

Such buttons are usually able to be controlled in MultiEcuScan. However I'm not 100% sure for this one.

 

[Wee Jimbo]

Ok Thankyou.

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

Does the Eco button light up when pressed? Or show ‘eco’ on the dash? (I don’t know as I have a diesel, but would expect it to show something- like the City Steering or stop/start buttons do…)

 

[Wee Jimbo]

Hi Herts Hopper.It does light up on the Switch to indicate that the Eco mode is on, and obviously switch the switch back off and the light on the Switch goes off to indicate that you are back out of Eco mode, But , afraid I can notice no difference whatsoever in power gain or power loss regardless of whether the switch is on or off??? that's why I'm thinking that although the Switch is illuminating to show on or off, could there be a fuse or possibly a loose connection making the switch
un-operational ???

 

[Panda IIs]

Hi Herts Hopper.It does light up on the Switch to indicate that the Eco mode is on, and obviously switch the switch back off and the light on the Switch goes off to indicate that you are back out of Eco mode, But , afraid I can notice no difference whatsoever in power gain or power loss regardless of whether the switch is on or off??? that's why I'm thinking that although the Switch is illuminating to show on or off, could there be a fuse or possibly a loose connection making the switch
un-operational ???

I'm away from my 4x4 TA at the moment but will check in a couple of days unless there is a more informed response between now and then. My recollection is that the ECO button, when engaged, essentially strangles the life out of the engine and the default (for my 2013) model is it is "off" on start up. I believe later models have it "on" as the default on starting. I thought there was an indicating message on the dash but I really don't use it enough (read at all!) to remember.

 

[Wee Jimbo]

I'm away from my 4x4 TA at the moment but will check in a couple of days unless there is a more informed response between now and then. My recollection is that the ECO button, when engaged, essentially strangles the life out of the engine and the default (for my 2013) model is it is "off" on start up. I believe later models have it "on" as the default on starting. I thought there was an indicating message on the dash but I really don't use it enough (read at all!) to remember.

Thankyou Panda11s:
When starting my Panda, the light on the Switch is always off, so I'm taking it the default is as yours, "Off" however, my issue is that there is no difference whatsoever with it on or off, which is why I'm querying if the switch is actually connected/working ??? Cheers.

 

[The Panda Nut]

Try driving in 4th gear at 30mph with eco on. Put you foot on teh floor and press the ECO button. You will know immediately if its working by the power hike. You should also get a message on the dash. ECO connected or ECO disconnected. If you cannot feel any difference then there may be a problem.

 

[Wee Jimbo]

Try driving in 4th gear at 30mph with eco on. Put you foot on teh floor and press the ECO button. You will know immediately if its working by the power hike. You should also get a message on the dash. ECO connected or ECO disconnected. If you cannot feel any difference then there may be a problem.

The Panda Nut, Thanks for that wee bit of advice, I will try that tomorrow pal.
I was sort of trying similar when on the Motorway with no difference. Come to think of it, I didn't check the dash for any message. With my Previous 500 , The Eco button was next to the Gear Selector, and the only display was an E displayed on the dash next to the Current gear it was in. It didn't make much different in my previous 500 Dualogic (1200cc) as it was always pretty rapid, the only difference when not in Eco mode (Eco was what I was in most of the time in my 500) was it held the gears for longer before changing up. Cheers....

 

[Panda IIs]

The Panda Nut, Thanks for that wee bit of advice, I will try that tomorrow pal.
I was sort of trying similar when on the Motorway with no difference. Come to think of it, I didn't check the dash for any message. With my Previous 500 , The Eco button was next to the Gear Selector, and the only display was an E displayed on the dash next to the Current gear it was in. It didn't make much different in my previous 500 Dualogic (1200cc) as it was always pretty rapid, the only difference when not in Eco mode (Eco was what I was in most of the time in my 500) was it held the gears for longer before changing up. Cheers....

Well maybe you have answered the problem; the switch may be "stuck" in ECO mode. Since it's an automatic there would seem little it can do other than making the gears shift earlier (when activated) like the way it seems to act as a rev limiter on my manual 4x4.

I did once have a 500C in the US which (of course) was an auto and the ECO button was indeed more of a sports mode enabling longer shifts in each gear. So if you are seeing no difference then that would seem to be the issue.

Assuming the switch "talks" to the ECU then I would expect it to be a logic signal and not necessarily 12volts so maybe more difficult to test. Short of going to a dealer I think I would perhaps try popping the switches out and removing the connector to the ECO (if the switches use individual connectors) thus breaking any permanently "made" circuit by a faulty switch - then see if she flys!

There are others on here who it appears are far better qualified to talk of auto electrics @KPat @GBLRRT ?

 

[Wee Jimbo]

Well maybe you have answered the problem; the switch may be "stuck" in ECO mode. Since it's an automatic there would seem little it can do other than making the gears shift earlier (when activated) like the way it seems to act as a rev limiter on my manual 4x4.

I did once have a 500C in the US which (of course) was an auto and the ECO button was indeed more of a sports mode enabling longer shifts in each gear. So if you are seeing no difference then that would seem to be the issue.

Assuming the switch "talks" to the ECU then I would expect it to be a logic signal and not necessarily 12volts so maybe more difficult to test. Short of going to a dealer I think I would perhaps try popping the switches out and removing the connector to the ECO (if the switches use individual connectors) thus breaking any permanently "made" circuit by a faulty switch - then see if she flys!

There are others on here who it appears are far better qualified to talk of auto electrics @KPat @GBLRRT ?

Thankyou, Yes My Previous 500 was the same, where driving it out of Eco only made it feel more of a sports mode with longer shifts in each gear. Wished I knew a good Auto Spark in Fife lol. Many Thanks.....

 

[Twotone2]

My 2023 Panda TA 4x4 has Eco on by default, as others have said, when you switch it off is like the car is super charged and there’s a message on the dash telling you that eco mode has been disabled I wouldn’t say it was a night and day difference but it’s pretty obvious especially on hills on the motorway or when you’re overtaking.

Funnily enough I’ve just bought a brand new Nisan van and that has an Eco button too Eco is off by default ( I think) so when you hit Eco button a leaf appears on the dash and again it’s not night and day but there’s a definite difference I think the van revs less to keep the engine in the green zone on the dash the green zone gets longer with the Eco button pressed.

Jimbo it doesn’t sound to me that there’s an issue with the Eco button on your car ie the car’s stuck in Eco mode cause even in Eco mode the car, well our car performs fine but with Eco on it’s like have another gear or as I said above a super charger, if your car was in permanent Eco mode it would drive fine IMO.

 

[Wee Jimbo]

My 2023 Panda TA 4x4 has Eco on by default, as others have said, when you switch it off is like the car is super charged and there’s a message on the dash telling you that eco mode has been disabled I wouldn’t say it was a night and day difference but it’s pretty obvious especially on hills on the motorway or when you’re overtaking.

Funnily enough I’ve just bought a brand new Nisan van and that has an Eco button too Eco is off by default ( I think) so when you hit Eco button a leaf appears on the dash and again it’s not night and day but there’s a definite difference I think the van revs less to keep the engine in the green zone on the dash the green zone gets longer with the Eco button pressed.

Jimbo it doesn’t sound to me that there’s an issue with the Eco button on your car ie the car’s stuck in Eco mode cause even in Eco mode the car, well our car performs fine but with Eco on it’s like have another gear or as I said above a super charger, if your car was in permanent Eco mode it would drive fine IMO.

Cheers Twotone2: I went out this morning and did as The Panda Nut suggested and yes, there was a very very slight boost at 30mph and pressing the switch from Eco on to Eco off , although, nothing to write home about lol. (But thanksPanda nut)
I also noticed that a quick display message appears slightly on the dashboard informing Eco Connected or Disconnected ,so , Twotone2: , you are also correct (thanks). I am getting it serviced shortly when my days off and my friendly mechanics dates match up lol. I am hoping it's just a case of the fact it's not really had a good run since it was new, what with it being 10years old and only approx 11,000miles since new.Thankyou for all the Advice folks....... Jimbo.

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

Worth remembering we're talking here about a Panda with the DualLogic (auto) gearbox. I believe the effect of the Eco button is different with this set up. The handbook suggests it only does anything when the car is in auto mode (rather than manual), and, unlike the fully manual Panda where it noticeably alters the engine power curve, the inference is that with a DuaLogic version, instead it alters the point at which the auto shifts between the gears.

The previous (169) model Panda didn;t have an eco button option for the fully manual car, but did with the DualLogic... Certainly there, the 'eco' setting only altered the gear change points, and I suspect the same system (and behaviour) was carried over to the newer (312) models when fitted with that gearbox.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

As some of you may know, I currently have another post active on here at the moment with regards no power going up the hills in my Fiat Panda Twin Air Dualogic???
I am extremely happy with the amount of replies withpeoples thoughts/ideas, however one of the biggest questions back to myself in the replies is, " Is the Eco ButtonSwitched Off???"
Is there a way to check if this does actually switch off/ on via the switch or is there a possibility that it is showing as being out of the Eco mode when infact the switch is nor changing from On to Off or Off to On ??? The reason I am asking is after trying the Switch on a few different occasions now, I do not notice any difference whatsoever. Is there possibly a fuse that works it? and if so, could the fuse be bypassed somehow to keep it out of Eco Mode all the time??? Once again I look forward to all you genuisess of all things Mechanical/Electrical lol. Many Thanks in Advance....... Jimbo

Is Eco now in the running - I thought you said it was all fine when I raised it?

 

[Panda IIs]

Worth remembering we're talking here about a Panda with the DualLogic (auto) gearbox. I believe the effect of the Eco button is different with this set up. The handbook suggests it only does anything when the car is in auto mode (rather than manual), and, unlike the fully manual Panda where it noticeably alters the engine power curve, the inference is that with a DuaLogic version, instead it alters the point at which the auto shifts between the gears.

The previous (169) model Panda didn;t have an eco button option for the fully manual car, but did with the DualLogic... Certainly there, the 'eco' setting only altered the gear change points, and I suspect the same system (and behaviour) was carried over to the newer (312) models when fitted with that gearbox.

That fits with my experience in a 500

 

[Wee Jimbo]

Is Eco now in the running - I thought you said it was all fine when I raised it?

Bonefish Blues: I tried it again this morning as per advice from The Panda Nut, and his advice has ruled out my worry with regards My Eco Button "PERHAPS" being stuck in Eco mode, so therefore not getting full power?
After doing what he suggested, I did notice a very slight difference when pressing the Eco button at 30mph from On to Off. Like I stated not a huge massive boost but a very slight difference proving /ruling out that the switch was perhaps faulty?.It is booked in for a service tomorrow morning So fingers crossed , I may see a difference then...... Cheers Pal.

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

Bonefish Blues: I tried it again this morning as per advice from The Panda Nut, and his advice has ruled out my worry with regards My Eco Button "PERHAPS" being stuck in Eco mode, so therefore not getting full power?
After doing what he suggested, I did notice a very slight difference when pressing the Eco button at 30mph from On to Off. Like I stated not a huge massive boost but a very slight difference proving /ruling out that the switch was perhaps faulty?.It is booked in for a service tomorrow morning So fingers crossed , I may see a difference then...... Cheers Pal.

See my post above - the ‘eco’ button works in a different way with a DualLogic car…

 

[Wee Jimbo]

Herts Hillhopper, I did see your above post and waited until now to reply as I was to take my car along and drop it off this Evening, to be serviced 1st thing tomorrow, so I actually drove there in " Manual Mode" and I noticed a considerable difference during my 8 mile journey, to the point my wife who was travelling in her car in front of me, must've thought I was taking the p*** by almost tailgating her lol. Let's see how it goes in Auto Mode after it's service tomorrow ? lol Cheers.....